Why Isn’t Zack de la Rocha in Prophets of Rage?

To say Rage Against the Machine fans are excited by the recent formation of super group Prophets of Rage is an understatement. Sure, it’s not the reunion they were hoping for, but it brings together three of the band’s original members with Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Cypress Hill’s B-Real. But one question remains: Where is RATM’s vocalist Zack de la Rocha?

RATM’s guitarist Tom Morello, drummer Brad Wilk and bassist Tim Commerford spoke with Rolling Stone about de la Rocha’s future plans. Morello deflected the question to his bandmates, saying he hadn’t spoken with de la Rocha about Prophets of Rage.

Brad Wilk stepped in to clarify. “I haven’t talked to him recently,” he said. “I know he’s making a record right now. I have nothing but love and respect for him. I hope he’s doing well and creating the record that I think he’s making.”

“We’re a family and there’s support across the board,” added Commerford. “I support him and everything he does, and vice versa. I’ve definitely been keeping him in the know. You’re never going to replace Zack, and we aren’t trying to do that.”

In an interview with KROQ’s Kevin & Bean this morning, Commerford confirmed de la Rocha’s support. “I spoke with him. It was great. I let him know what was going on and got his blessing. Chuck and I both spoke with him and so did B, and it feels really good. I love that guy.”

“It takes me and B-Real to do Rage-ified Zach de la Rocha songs so a marching salute out to him,” says Chuck D. “But this is not Rage Against the Machine, he adds. “This is not Cypress Hill or Public Enemy. It’s a super group; one of the greatest super groups ever. And, we want to be recognized of that.”